Commonwealth summit: Prince Charles discusses slavery and freedom to rule nations
Prince Charles greets Prime Minister Boris Johnson as Rwandan President Paul Kagame looks on on June 24 in Kigali.
REUTERS - JEAN BIZIMANA
Text by: RFI Follow
4 mins
Leaders of 54 Commonwealth member states have been meeting since Friday, June 24 in Kigali.
This summit (CHOGM) is being held at a time when the organization is going through deep questions about its future.
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This summit is being held in Rwanda, which joined the Commonwealth in 2009, at a time when the association with the 54 Member States is crossed by deep questions, in a period of transition for the British monarchy and questioning of the colonialist past.
During his speech at the opening of the two-day summit, the heir to the British Crown welcomed the relations and friendship built within the Commonwealth over the past 70 years.
“
As we rebuild from an epidemic that has destroyed many lives, as we attempt to respond to climate change and declining biodiversity that threatens our existence, and we see lives destroyed by the constant assault of forces violent... These friendships are more important than ever
,” he said.
“
I am delighted that by working together with determination, we can build a future for humanity that is sustainable, prosperous and just.
Our Commonwealth family has always been, and will remain, a collection of independent and free nations.
We meet and discuss on an equal footing, to share our knowledge, our experience for the well-being of all citizens of the Commonwealth and around the world.
»
“
Personal sadness
”
Her Majesty's representative assured that the discussions are on an equal footing and that the member countries are free to abandon the monarchy.
In 14 of the Member States, Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state, and some of them have made no secret of their desire to distance themselves from the monarchy, in the wake of Barbados which has officially proclaimed a republic in November 2021.
“
The Commonwealth includes countries that have had constitutional ties to my family, some that continue to have them and increasingly countries that do not.
I want to make it clear, as I have said before, that the constitutional regime of each member, whether as a republic or a monarchy, is solely a matter for the decision of each member state.
»
Prince Charles also acknowledged the organization's colonial origins: "
As we together seek peace, prosperity and democracy, it pains me to acknowledge that the roots of our organization lie deep in the most painful period of our story.
I cannot describe the depth of my personal sadness at the suffering of so many people, as I continue to deepen my understanding of the lasting effects of slavery.
»
Over three million Africans were sold by British traders during the period of the transatlantic treaty abolished in the early 19th century.
No statement on the deal
CHOGM is amid controversy over a deal to deport illegal migrants from the UK to Rwanda, which has sparked outrage from many human rights NGOs, the UN and the Anglican Church.
Prince Charles met Boris Johnson on Friday morning.
But the British Prime Minister indicated that he would not detail the content of the interview.
According to the British press, Prince Charles had privately expressed his disagreement with this device, which he described as "
appalling
".
In his speech, the British Prime Minister did not go back on the agreement to deport migrants from his country to Rwanda.
The British government
has promised to persist with this program
of expulsions,
blocked at the last minute on June 14
by a decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Boris Johnson told British media in Kigali he was "
confident
" the program would work.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame succeeds the British Prime Minister as incumbent Commonwealth President despite widespread criticism of his human rights record (see below).
The Commonwealth Secretary General, British-Dominican Patricia Scotland, has been re-elected for a further two-year term.
Tomorrow, Togo and Gabon should officially enter as members of the Anglophone organization.
■
Victoire Ingabire: “
Rwanda does not respect the values of the Commonwealth
”
Paul Kagame will automatically succeed Boris Johnson as head of the organization as his country hosts the Commonwealth summit this year.
He will remain there for two years.
In Kigali, the opponent Victoire Ingabire, president of a party not recognized by the authorities, therefore denounces the choice of Rwanda as host country this year.
[...] Justice in Rwanda is used to curb democracy.
There are members of the opposition who are in prison.
[...]
Victory Ingabire
On June 10, 23 NGOs, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, wrote in an open letter that the Commonwealth's silence on Rwanda's human rights record risks undermining the organization's human rights mandate, as well as as his integrity and credibility.
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Rwanda
Commonwealth
Boris Johnson